Page 146 - Michigan City, IN US Highway 421 Corridor Plan

5.3 Design Guidelines

High Rise Building F. Frontage Types
A. Intent Statement Permitted frontage types: storefront, storefront café, urban
frontage, forecourt and dooryard.
A multi-level building organized around a central core. A building
designed for occupancy by service and /or office on all floors. Developments must also comply with permitted frontage types of
The first three floors may be expressed as a podium to enhance the block type development standards (See Section 5.3.1).
the visual aesthetic of the building. Parking should be provided
in a structure, either below ground, or in a shared lot. G. Pedestrian Access and Entries
Entrances shall be on the primary street façade of the building.
B. Façade Width
When urban block buildings face existing thoroughfares, the
Maximum of 300 feet. primary entrance should be located along road corridors that
provide vehicular access.
Facades greater than 175 feet in length must have at least one
façade break of at least 20 feet in length and 10 feet in depth. Pedestrian walks should connect primary building entrances and
employee/ guest parking areas.
C. Building Height and Massing
Maximum building heights vary, see Section 5.3.1, Block Type In large surface parking areas pedestrian walkways should
Development Standards. be extended through the lot to provide a protected path for
pedestrians.
D. Building Materials and Transparency High Rise Building Diagram
Additional sidewalk connections should be provided to adjacent
Building materials include stone, brick and glass, architectural public facilities where applicable.
precast panels, architectural metal panels and ornamental
metal. H. Parking and Access

Buildings must use a minimum of three materials to provide a Above ground surface parking lots shall be located along
sense of visual interest and richness in detail. secondary roadways with access being provided from access
roads only. Multiple points of ingress/ egress should be provided
Building entrances should be clearly delineated and should be a for each parking lot to ensure efficiencies in vehicular movement
major feature of the façade. For buildings that front two or more during peak traffic times.
streets, all facades should have the same treatment with regards
to a level of detail, material use and transparency. Where possible, surface parking areas should be shared
between buildings.
Buildings should be designed with a minimum of eight external
corners in order to eliminate box buildings. I. Outdoor Space
At least 10 percent of the lot area shall be provided as outdoor
If a lower podium is used, the tower shall step back from the face space.
of the podium a minimum of ten feet.
Permitted outdoor space types that count towards the
For street facades: With a storefront or a storefront café a satisfaction of the required amount of outdoor space are
minimum of 70 percent transparency is required, 65 percent designated in Section 5.3.6, Open Space Standards.
otherwise.
J. Landscape and Buffering High Rise Building Illustrative Photo
For non-street facades: Minimum of 65 percent transparency.
Service areas should be screened from view by either hedge
Upper story façades: Minimum of 30 percent transparency. rows, walls or fencing.

Blank, unarticulated walls facing streets are prohibited. Canopy trees shall be planted at the following intervals along
street frontages:
E. Corner Treatment
The corners of buildings located at the intersection of two streets — Large trees: 40’ on center;
should be emphasized in order to create identity, take advantage — Medium trees: 30’ on center;
of the high visibility and enhance wayfinding.
— Small trees: 20’ on center.
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Adopted: August 16, 2016 Implementation 5.0